Voter ID law, citizenship requirement/ proof of citizenship/ election security law/ Newslooks/ Washington/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing a spending bill tied to requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. While facing opposition from Democrats and some Republicans, Johnson remains determined to hold a vote on Wednesday. With an impending government shutdown looming, the outcome of this vote remains uncertain.
Spending Bill Linked to Voter Proof: Quick Looks
- Speaker’s Initiative: Mike Johnson proposes linking government funding to a mandate requiring new voters to prove citizenship.
- Opposition: Democrats and some Republicans strongly oppose the measure, while others support it due to concerns about noncitizen voting.
- Urgency: The government faces a potential partial shutdown if a budget isn’t agreed upon by Oct. 1, 2024.
- Election Impacts: Republicans push for a six-month extension, hoping to gain leverage if Donald Trump wins the 2024 election.
Speaker Johnson Pushes Spending Bill with Citizenship Requirement
Deep Look:
The U.S. House of Representatives is gearing up for a critical vote on a bill proposed by Speaker Mike Johnson that would tie funding for the federal government to a controversial election policy. The proposed measure mandates that states require proof of citizenship when voters register, adding a layer of electoral security that Republicans argue is necessary. However, this policy has been met with significant opposition from Democrats and some Republicans, raising questions about its chances of success.
Johnson had initially presented the bill last week but chose to pull it for further discussion within the Republican Party, as consensus was lacking. Over the weekend, Johnson worked behind the scenes to build support among his party members, though it remains unclear whether he has successfully quelled concerns. Some Republicans, while supporting the voter citizenship requirement, are apprehensive about maintaining current federal spending levels, which the bill also proposes. Despite the internal party tensions, Johnson has made it clear that he will proceed with a vote, aiming to push forward a top GOP priority in an election year.
Requiring voters to present proof of citizenship is a major focus for Republicans heading into the 2024 elections, as they seek to prevent any potential cases of noncitizens casting ballots. While such occurrences are rare—given that voting by noncitizens is already illegal—Republicans argue that additional safeguards are necessary to ensure electoral integrity. “I urge all of my colleagues to do what the overwhelming majority of the people of this country rightfully demand and deserve—prevent non-American citizens from voting in American elections,” Johnson emphasized ahead of the vote.
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats are unified in their opposition to the bill, viewing it as unnecessary and potentially restrictive to voter access. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has publicly criticized Johnson’s strategy, arguing that the measure is bound to fail and will not help prevent the looming government shutdown. Schumer stated that the only path forward is through bipartisan cooperation, calling for both parties to come to a consensus on a more practical and sustainable budget solution.
The pressing issue at hand is the impending start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2024. With only weeks remaining, lawmakers must pass either a new budget or a stopgap measure to avoid a partial shutdown of the federal government. While Democrats and some Republicans favor a short-term extension of current spending levels to allow for further negotiations, Speaker Johnson and the conservative wing of the GOP are pushing for a six-month extension. They hope this delay would increase their leverage if Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump were to win the upcoming election.
In contrast to the House’s more partisan approach, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has taken a more cautious stance, refusing to take a firm position on the length of any potential stopgap measure. He has stressed that a government shutdown would be politically disastrous for Republicans, particularly as the 2024 election draws nearer.
The pressure on Johnson to succeed is further intensified by Donald Trump’s involvement in the debate. On Sunday, Johnson met with Trump in Florida, following the former president’s call for Republicans to hold out on passing a stopgap measure unless they secured guarantees on election security. Trump’s influence within the GOP continues to loom large, especially on issues tied to voter integrity and election laws.
The House had previously passed a version of the citizenship-proof mandate in July, with a significant number of Republicans supporting the measure. Now, many within the GOP are eager to vote again, viewing it as an important issue for their constituents. However, it remains to be seen whether Johnson’s gamble will pay off or whether the measure will be blocked by bipartisan resistance in the Senate.
As the clock ticks toward a government shutdown, the stakes for Wednesday’s vote are high, with the outcome poised to impact both the future of U.S. government spending and election laws.
